God Loves You

Are you tired of the constant barrage of religious condemnation thrown your way?

Are you tired of playing defense on morality?

Well have I got a deal for you!

That’s right, there’s one bible verse that gives you the superpower of faith. It’s John 3:16.

Yes, that John 3:16.

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.”               John 3:16 (NIV)

For God so loved the world…

Profound in its simplicity, whoever believes will not perish but have eternal life, answers the question of what will happen to Christians in a same sex relationship. If you believe, you will have eternal life. The bible doesn’t say you have to believe the people who stand in judgment of you, whoever believes is inclusive and diverse.

And there are no restrictions based on race, gender, or sexual orientation.

Moreover, John proclaims the most important focus for Christians is a personal relationship with God. His words break the chains of ancient temple worship, where money and priests were the gatekeepers of salvation. Does that sound familiar, others trying to get in the way of your personal relationship with God? It should. Judging others has been the traditional weapon of conservative religious leaders for centuries.

Well, no matter how loud the folks shout, they cannot change the fact that whoever believes does not require their permission or approval. They don’t get to choose for you. Period.

But wait, there’s more. As a bonus, you also get John 3:17!

“For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.”                                                                           John 3:17 (NIV)

To save the world through him replaces the ancient offering rituals with a deeply personal journey, a journey not taken alone, but with Jesus right there every step of the way! And community, don’t forget about community! The Holy Church, God’s Church, filled with the people of God’s church are right there with you, and we are cheering you on. We are here to support each other.

Whoever Believes does not require permission or approval.

Even better, for God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world proclaims a real change has come into the world, that peace and love are the new currency in God’s kingdom. No more drownings by flood, no more plagues on the first born, no more killing the disobedient in the wilderness. Jesus is the way, the truth, and the light, and he will be the last sacrifice. We are here to follow Jesus in love, not sling condemnations at each other.

So, the folks throwing these condemnations at you are not really following Jesus. They do not speak for Jesus. No, they speak out of fear. They speak from the same fear we read about in the Gospels, where the religious leaders, dealing with Jesus and his followers, wanted Jesus dead. And, well, they turned to violence, arresting Jesus, and finally coercing the Roman ruler to crucify him. They stoned Stephen and persecuted the early Christians.

When conservative religious leaders are throwing condemnations at you in this age, remember that you are in good company.

In the face of the name calling and violence, the early Christians held on to their beliefs. They faced persecution with a grace that defied logic. Their faith was so strong that it made the history books. Be strong like the early Christians and remember what Elanor Roosevelt said:

“No one can make you feel inferior without your consent.”

We have been given the gift of choice. Do not give your consent to their words. Do not let their shouts break your heart. You have the ultimate armor of God, whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.

Grace and Peace,

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